ESL Podcast 592 - Dealing with Website Hackers
hacker - a person who tries to access and/or change the information on another person's computer or website, usually to get secret information or to destroy a competitor's computer system
How long would it take a hacker to break into the government's computer network and access criminals' records?
to access - to be able to see or obtain something; to be able to get something
Nobody can access the personnel files unless they have the keys to the filing cabinet.
server - a large computer that controls other computers on a network, sharing information between and among the computers, and often hosting many computer programs
Is that computer program stored on your computer, or on the server?
to embed - to put something inside something else; to lock something in place as part of something else
Do you like the new graphics we've embedded on the website?
malicious - mean, cruel, and hurtful; with the intention of doing evil or hurting another person
The other kids made such malicious comments that she came home from school in tears.
code - computer programming language that cannot be read by people who aren't experts in that language; instructions that tell a program or computer what to do or how to do something
They had to review more than a million lines of code to find the error in the program.
to redirect - to send someone or something in a different direction
When we walked into the room, we all looked at the paintings on the walls, but the museum's tour guide redirected our attention to the beautiful ceilings and floors.
security - safety; protection from danger or interference
The office is increasing security by making all employees show identification before entering the building.
to encrypt - to protect information by writing it in a special language so that it cannot be read by other people while it is sent
Never send your social security number via email unless you're sure the message is encrypted.
database - a collection of information stored on a computer in an organized way so that it is easy to sort and to find pieces of data
They created a customer database that includes each customer's name, contact information, and past purchase information.
to patch - to fix something that is broken or isn't working properly, usually focusing on one part of a larger thing
Harold patched the hole in the roof to keep the rainwater out of his bedroom.
vulnerability - a weakness; something that leaves one open to attack or danger
The army's greatest vulnerability is on the northern side, where the mountains make it more difficult to protect the soldiers.
to pay the price - to suffer negative consequences for something one has (not) done in the past
Now in her 50s, Greta's health is failing and she is paying the price for all the smoking and drinking she did in her teens and 20s.
to be back up - for a program or website to be working again after a period when it was not working
The technicians had to shut down all the computers to install an upgrade, but everything should be back up again within an hour.
24/7 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; all the time; without stopping
Our telephone support center is open 24/7, so if you have questions you can call anytime.
security measure - something that one does to try to keep something safe and secure
As a security measure, the embassy requires all its employees to be indoors after 9:00 p.m.
to wreak havoc - to create many problems; to create a disaster
The weather is wreaking havoc on Florida's tomato crops.